Basal Apiales

Recent molecular systematic studies by
Plunkett (1994, pers. comm.) and Plunkett et al. (1995) suggest a
placement for the Malagasy endemic Melanophylla (8 spp.) at the
base of the Apiales among the genera Aralidium (1 sp., W.
Malesia), Toricellia (3 spp. E. Himalayas to W. China), and
Griselinia (6 spp., New Zealand and Chile), all of which have
been recognized at the family level. Whether they constitute a
clade is still unresolved insofar as several shared indels
(insertion/deletion events) within the matK chloroplast gene are
plesiomorphic and also shared with outgroup Cornales.
Nevertheless, Melanophylla may be closest to Aralidium,
reflecting possible rafting on India for their common ancestor as
well as for Toricellia, and, in addition, an austral dispersal
for Griselinia (first appearance in New Zealand in Miocene
(Mildenhall 1980)), a scenario potentially analogous to the
Hicksbeachiinae (Proteaceae).